Christmas gets loud fast. Lights, trees, movies, shopping, parties, traditions, the same songs on repeat. And at some point, a fair question shows up: What is all of this for?

In this Christmas message, we start there, with the December chaos and a story that makes the question impossible to ignore. And then we look at one unexpected part of the Christmas story that has a way of pulling people in or pushing them away, depending on how you understand it.

If you’ve ever felt like faith is mostly about what’s required of you, this is worth a listen.

Does it feel like there's a hero in your story? If not, why not? This weekend, we're talking about the importance of understanding the heat of the threat. What exactly does Jesus offer to save people from?

Mary didn't want a manger in her story. It wasn’t meant to be the centerpiece.. It was the last stop in a long line of things going wrong, the proof that none of this happened under ideal conditions. And that’s exactly where God showed up.

The Magi were people who didn’t fit the mold, didn’t have the right background, and weren’t following all the rules. Yet somehow, they’re invited straight into the center of the story. The first Christmas wasn’t polished or predictable. It was messy, surprising, and full of people you'd never expect to see. But maybe that's the point...

When life gets confusing and faith feels thin, is there a play you can run that gives you the best chance of making it through the depths of your doubt?

That’s the tension driving this message. We look at the moment Thomas hits the lowest point of his spiritual life, and yet finds a way forward — not by getting all the answers, not by forcing certainty, but by doing one simple thing most of us overlook.

If you’re in a season where something God said would be true hasn’t shown up in your life yet, this is for you.

We all face moments when the waves feel louder than God’s voice. Not because we don’t believe in Him—but because we’re not sure He can really work through us.

In this message, we look at Peter walking on water and see doubt for what it really is: not a flaw, but an invitation. Peter didn’t question Jesus’ power—he questioned his own ability to do what Jesus called him to do. And that’s where most of our doubt lives too. Real faith isn’t pretending the waves aren’t there. It’s choosing to look at Jesus anyway. Doubt doesn’t disqualify you. In fact, it might be the very thing that drives you closer.

Key takeaway:

The waves are not proof that you can’t—they’re the backdrop where Jesus shows you that you can.

Try this:

Don’t ignore the area where you feel most unsure. Bring it to God honestly. Pray, “Lord, if You’re calling me, give me the courage to step out.” Then take one small step—have the conversation, apply for the thing, say yes to the nudge you’ve been resisting. See what happens when you trust Him more than the waves.

Life can take unexpected turns. In John 11, Martha and Mary both trust Jesus, yet neither can make sense of His timing or what feels like absence. Their beliefs and emotions collide with loss, and everything feels off-balance. What do you do when what you know about God doesn’t seem to fit with what you're experiencing?

Key takeaway:

When circumstances create doubt, hold on to who Jesus is, not just what you hoped He would do.

Try this:

Name one area where life hasn’t gone as expected. Tell God honestly how that makes you feel. Then reread John 11 and notice how Jesus meets each sister differently, because He meets you that way too.

We all have questions we can’t quite shake. Some come from curiosity, others from skepticism. In this message, we explore why doubt isn’t something to hide but something to engage. In the book of Acts, we see how one group of people didn’t just accept what they heard—they questioned it. Real faith isn’t blind belief. It’s tested, explored, and proven over time.

Key takeaway:

God is not afraid of your microscope. The closer you look, the more impressive he is.

Try this:

Don’t bury your doubts—investigate them. Pick one question and go after it. Open Scripture, watch a teaching on RightNow Media, or try living out one principle that feels hard to believe. See what happens when you engage instead of avoid.